Hidden pool vacuum system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A pool vacuuming system is comprised generally of a control box, containing a reel motor, and a reel box comprised of a turnable reel and a vacuum hose. The reel motor is powered and operated independently of the pool pump. Separate powering of this system from the pool pump negates issues of reduced power when the pool filter goes uncleaned. Since the vacuum reel is powered and operated by the separate control unit, the vacuum hose is allowed to move in and out of the reel box every time the pool pump turns off or on with consistent power and efficiency, making the movement of the hose more reliable.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general art of pool maintenance and more specifically, to the field of self-cleaning pool vacuuming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For as long as people have owned swimming pools, they have sought easier, more efficient ways to clean them. When leaves, dirt and other debris fall into a pool, they are unwanted and detract from the swimming experience. As a pool is primarily a recreational device, the more time and trouble it takes for an owner to clean one, the more it detracts from this recreational function.

An invention that has helped somewhat with this is the pool vacuum. As the in ground swimming pool has evolved, the cleaning system has become better. Present day swimming pool vacuums are now self-cleaning. Pool vacuums on hoses can now maneuver their way around the entire floor bottom to suction clean the floor and the walls of a swimming pool.

With a traditional swimming pool vacuum system, a suction line is plumbed into the side of the swimming pool and a pool vacuum is attached to the suction line. The vacuum hose is connected to the suction line via a pre-made drain in the pool. When the pool pump is turned on, the vacuum moves about the pool, cleaning up debris, and shuts off.

One of the drawbacks of this system is that because of the presence of the hose, the pool vacuum is always visible in the pool even when it is not being used, which can be unsightly. While the pool is in use, most people take the pool vacuum and hose, out of the pool and set it to the side of pool, perhaps on a deck. This is cumbersome and unsightly. Often people forget to return the hose and vacuum back into the pool and it is often left exposed. Due to this excessive exposure of the vacuum hose and vacuum head to the sun, the material of those products, typically a plastic, is often broken down, resulting in premature wear of the vacuum and hose.

To contain the hose in a more convenient way, hose carts and hose reels are known in the art. The hose, when not in use, is reeled into a cart or reel. The reel can be hand or mechanically powered. However, this system can be inconvenient and cumbersome to use, and still typically leaves the problem of an unsightly hose, albeit a reeled-in one, next to or near the pool. Even among those systems with operations completely tied to the pool pump the pool pump must necessarily be turned on for the vacuum hose 24 to unwind into the pool 100 and rewind back

Further, powering a hose reel via a swimming pool pump it that it is an extremely inefficient way to provide the power to generate the inertia to reel a pool hose in and out. Some current pool cleaners operate off of a pulse that is created by the suction of the pool pump. However, as the pool vacuum operates, it draws debris into the filter, and as the filter becomes dirty the pool pump loses it suction power, making it a less and less inefficient power source. As most people only clean the pool filter about once a year, this means the power to the hose reel will become continually lessened.

Accordingly, there is a need for a product that can efficiently move a pool vacuum hose and vacuum head from sight when not in use, and quickly and easily unreel it when needed.

SUMMARY

A pool vacuuming system is disclosed. The pool vacuuming system is comprised generally of a control box, containing a reel motor, and a reel box comprised of a turnable reel and a vacuum hose.

The control box and reel box are joined together as a single unit and can be installed at the side of a pool. The system can be housed under a pool deck and into the side of the wall of the pool itself.

A cleaning vacuum hose within the reel box is attached to a suction line which extends from the reel box to at least a pool pump and is powered by the pool pump. The front of the reel box is either open or semi-open so that the vacuum hose can move freely in and out of the pool itself. As the vacuum hose freely moves into the water, the water of the pool necessarily moves into and out of the reel box area. The reel box, in an embodiment, has a partial wall that keeps the reel and associated components mostly from sight, but allows the vacuum hose and vacuum cleaning head to freely move in and out of the pool

Where, as typically, a deck is present, the reel box is typically mounted just below it. In this embodiment, the reel box is mounted between three (3) and four (4) inches below the surface of the deck, but can be placed any suitable distance from the surface of the deck.

The control box independently houses the reel motor. The reel motor, in this embodiment is a reversible electric motor, though it can be of any type motor suitable for moving the vacuum hose in and out as appropriate. The reel motor is attached to the reel mechanically and is either water resistant or water proof.

As can be seen in the figures, the control box is situated parallel to the reel box in relation to the pool, but unlike the reel box, is typically set back from the pool wall; about 8″ in this particular embodiment. In this manner, the reel box can function with the pool, while the self-contained and water resistant control box, as well as the reel motor within it, are as removed as possible from the water of the pool to prevent electrical or mechanical damage.

The overall unit and the boxes, as well as other components, may vary in size to what is appropriate, depending on factors such as the size and type of pool involved and type and length of the vacuum hose. In this particular embodiment, and from a perspective facing the unit from the water of the pool, the dual system overall is about 18-24″ tall, 15-21″ wide, with a depth of 30-36″. The reel box 20. is about 21″ high, 15-18″ wide, and about 30-36″ deep. The control box tends to be smaller overall, but several inches taller, than the reel box, with a height of 21-24″, a width of 6-9″ and depth of about 18′.

The reel motor is powered by an electrical connection or other suitable means and is powered and operated independently of the pool motor. Because the motor operates independently of the pool pump, it can be operated from an independent timer or a hand-held remote, or other convenient means.

In operation, when an operator wishes to clean the pool, the reel motor is activated, in this embodiment a crank type motor, either directly by a switch or other means in the art or by remote means. The remote means can be by a hand-held remote control but can be by a wireless timer in another location, or other means known in the art.

The reel turns in a direction to unwind the hose and the vacuum hose is unwound to put the hose, and cleaning head attached to the hose, into the pool. The reel is comprised, at least in part, of a central turn-able axis running roughly through the center of the reel box, which makes the reel itself turn-able. The turnable axis of the reel is constructed of suitable material and is movably attached to the sides of the reel box. The vacuum hose moves into the pool and cleans the pool. The cleaning head moves about the bottom of the pool and the vacuuming action cleans the pool of sediment and other debris. The reel box is also designed to hold the vacuum cleaning head, so it is out of sight also.

Once the pool has been cleaned, either by the judgement of a party monitoring or operating the vacuum hose, or after a set amount of time, the reel motor reverses itself, and begins taking in the vacuum hose. The vacuum hose, as it turns onto the reel, moves into the reel box. The vacuum hose, thereby moves under the deck, or directly into the system in the side of the pool, moving, in either case, out of immediate sight. When the vacuum hose is reeled in, the reel motor can be set, either by timing or other means known in the art, to turn off the reel motor.

The operation of the twin box system, control box and reel box, with an alternate power source to operate the crank of the reel, is an effective way to consistently reel the pool vacuum hose in and out of the reel box. Because this power system is separate from the pool pump, issues of reduced power when the filter goes uncleaned are negated. This eliminates the factor of human error of neglecting or forgetting to clean the pool filter in keeping the suction and pool pump operating at maximum capacity

Because the vacuum reel is powered and operated by the control unit, the vacuum hose is allowed to move in and out of the reel box every time the pool pump turns off or on, with consistent power and efficiency making the movement of the hose reliable.

In another embodiment, the reel motor can be calibrated to the length of the vacuum hose so that it can turn off after the hose is fully extended.

The control box is further comprised of a lid located at the top of the control box for easy access to the reel motor from above. There is also a drainage plug at the bottom of the control box. A drainage hose runs from the bottom of the control box below the drainage plug. To protect the reel motor, the drainage plug can be opened and any accumulated water allowed to run out the drainage hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention, in orientation from the direction of the water of the pool it serves.

FIG. 2 is a view of one side of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is essentially the top plan view of FIG. 3 showing the embodiment as part of a pool system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The following descriptions are made referring to the figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like features throughout this description. Because of the varying angles of view, some features visible in some figures may not be visible, or shown, in others.

It is to be understood that in FIG. 1, a partial outer wall at the front of the reel box 20 that keeps the reel partially from sight has been removed for viewing convenience. This partial separation between the reel box 20 and pool water appears in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the outer wall of the control box 12 and reel box 20 has been removed for viewing convenience. In FIG. 3, the top of the control box 12, the top of the reel box 20 and the portion of pool deck 110 atop the reel box 20 have been removed for viewing convenience.

Turning generally to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of a pool vacuuming system 10 is shown. The pool vacuuming system 10 is comprised generally of a control box 12, containing a reel motor 14 and a reel box 20 comprised of a turnable reel 22 and a vacuum hose 24.

The control box 12 and reel box 20 are joined together as a single unit and can be installed at the side of the pool 100. Ideally, the system 10 is installed during construction of the pool 100, but can be installed later if necessary. The system can be housed under a pool deck 110 and into the side of the wall of the pool 100 itself.

Turning more specifically to FIG. 2, the cleaning vacuum hose 24 within the reel box 20 is attached to a suction line 30 which extends from the reel box 20 to at least a pool pump (not shown) and is powered by the pool pump (not shown). The suction line 30 can be comprised of any suitable material in the art, but in this embodiment, is 2″ PVC. The front of the reel box 20 is either open or semi-open so that the vacuum hose 24 can move freely in and out of the pool itself 100. As the vacuum hose 24 freely moves into the water, the water of the pool necessarily moves into and out of the reel box 20 area, as represented by arrows A and B. As shown in this embodiment, the reel box 20 has a partial wall that keeps the reel 24 and associated components mostly from sight, but allows the vacuum hose 24 and vacuum cleaning head 26 to freely move in and out of the pool

Where, as typically, a pool deck 110 is present, the reel box is typically mounted just below it. In this embodiment, the reel box 20 is mounted between three (3) and four (4) inches below the surface of the deck 110, but can be placed any suitable distance from the surface of the deck 110 as appropriate. In any case, the system is designed so that the vacuum hose 24 can move freely from the reel box 20 into and out of the pool 100.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 3, the control box 12 independently houses the reel motor 14. The reel motor 14, in this embodiment is a reversible electric motor, though it can be of any type motor suitable for moving the vacuum hose 24 in and out as appropriate. The reel motor 14 is attached to the reel 22 mechanically and is either water resistant or water proof.

As can be seen in the figures, the control box 12 is situated parallel to the reel box 20 in relation to the pool, but unlike the reel box 20, is typically set back from the pool wall; about 8″ in this particular embodiment. In this manner, the reel box 20 can function with the pool, while the self-contained and water resistant control box 12, as well as the reel motor 14 within it are as removed as possible from the water of the pool 100 to prevent electrical or mechanical damage.

The overall unit 10, and the boxes 12, 20 as well as other components, may vary in size to what is appropriate, depending on factors such as the size and type of pool involved and type and length of the vacuum hose 24. In this particular embodiment, and from a perspective facing the unit 10 from the water of the pool 100, the dual system 10 overall is about 18-24″ tall, 15-21″ wide, with a depth of 30-36″. The reel box 20. is about 21″ high, 15-18″ wide, and about 30-36″ deep. The control box 12 tends to be smaller, but several inches taller overall, than the reel box 20, with a height of 24″, a width of 6-9″ and depth of about 18′.

The reel motor 14 is powered by an electrical connection or other suitable means and is powered and operated independently of the pool motor. Because the motor 14 operates independently of the pool pump, it can be operated from an independent timer or a hand-held remote, or other convenient means.

In operation, when an operator wishes to clean the pool 100, the reel motor 14 is activated, in this embodiment a crank type motor, either directly by a switch or other means in the art or by remote means. The remote means in this embodiment are by a hand-held remote control but can be by a wireless timer in another location, or other means known in the art. The pool pump (not shown) can also be started by the same or similar means at the same time as the reel motor 14

Turning to FIG. 4, the working of the vacuum system 10 is shown. The reel 22 turns in a direction to unwind the hose 24 and the vacuum hose 24 is unwound to put the hose 24, and cleaning head 26 attached to the hose, into the pool. The reel 22 is comprised, at least in part, of a central turn-able axis running roughly through the center of the reel box 20, which makes the reel itself 22 turn-able. The axis (not shown) is constructed of suitable material as discussed herein and is movably attached to the sides of the reel box 20. In this embodiment, it is constructed of a 1.5 or 2″ inch PVC pipe and has water tight bearings at both contact points with the reel box 20 which allows the reel 22 to spin. The vacuum hose 24 moves into the pool and cleans the pool. The cleaning head 26 moves about the bottom of the pool 100 and the vacuuming action cleans the pool 100 of sediment and other debris. The reel box 20 is also designed to hold the vacuum cleaning head 26, so it is out of sight also. Vacuum type cleaning heads come in various sizes depending on factors such as the manufacturer. Accordingly, the dimensions of the reel box 20 can be adjusted depending upon the cleaning head 26.

Once the pool 100 has been cleaned, either by the judgement of a party monitoring or operating the vacuum hose 24, or after a set amount of time, the reel motor 14 reverses itself, and begins taking in the vacuum hose 24. The vacuum hose 24, as it turns onto the reel 22, moves into the reel box 20. The vacuum hose 24, thereby moves under the deck 110, or directly into the system 10 in the side of the pool, moving, in either case, out of immediate sight. In one embodiment, a timer can both turn the pool pump off and activates the reel motor 14, whereby the vacuum hose 24 and pool cleaner head 26 are pulled back into the reel box 20. When the vacuum hose 24 is reeled in, the reel motor 14 can be set, either by timing or other means known in the art, to turn off the reel motor 14.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 3, the operation of the twin box system, control box 12 and reel box 20, with an alternate power source to operate the crank of the reel 22, is an effective way to consistently reel the pool vacuum hose 24 in and out of the reel box 20. Because this power system is separate from the pool pump, issues of reduced power when the filter goes uncleaned are negated. This eliminates the factor of human error of neglecting or forgetting to clean the pool filter in keeping the suction and pool pump operating at maximum capacity

Because the vacuum reel 22 is powered and operated by the control unit, the vacuum hose 24 is allowed to move in and out of the reel box 20 every time the pool pump turns off or on, with consistent power and efficiency making the movement of the hose 24 reliable.

In addition to greater reliability, the dual power system to the pump and reel 22, respectively, allows greater flexibility of operation. For example, if the pump is on and the vacuum system 10 is in operation, an operator could start the reel and operate both at the same time, turn both off at the same time, or operate one independently of the other as desirous. The vacuum hose 24 can be reeled in and the pump them turned off, or the pump can be turned off and then the vacuum hose 24 can be drawn in.

In another embodiment, the reel motor 14 can be calibrated to the length of the vacuum hose 24 so that it can turn off after the hose is fully extended. For example, if the vacuum hose 24 is 30 feet long, the motor can be set to shut off after the the hose fully extends 30 feet. When the hose 24 is being reeled in, there can also be a sensing device added (not shown), in communication with the reel motor 14, that shuts off the reel motor 14 when the cleaning head 26 comes in contact with the sensing device within the reel box 20.

The reel box 20 and control box 12 are each comprised of suitable materials known in the art for such construction. The boxes 12, 20 can be smooth or of ridged construction for additional sturdiness. They can be constructed of materials known in the art, though the materials should be of the type that can stand up to long-term exposure to pool water. These could include, for example, a plastic or other resin, or stainless steel. Likewise, the reel 22 is to be constructed of a material that not only can stand up to water exposure, but is tough enough to support the vacuum hose 24 and routine windings and un-windings, such as any of the materials named, or other suitable material known in the art.

The control box 12 is further comprised of a lid 16 located at the top of the control box 12 for easy access to the reel motor 14 from above. The lid 16 is usually flush, or nearly so, with the surface of the pool deck 110. There is also a drainage plug 18 at the bottom of the control box 12. A drainage hose 19 runs from the bottom of the control box 12 below and from the drainage plug 18. Though the control box 12 is separate from the reel box 20, it is possible small amounts of water can still get in, from the lid 16, via rain water or water splashed onto the deck or from a small leak. To protect the reel motor 14, the drainage plug 18 can be opened and any accumulated water allowed to run out the drainage hose. The drainage hose 19 is of a suitable length, depending on such factors as the pool and layout, to carry drained water sufficiently far from the control box 12.

By this invention, a system can be installed that will conveniently provide vacuuming to a pool long-term, provide a reliable power source, and yet be unobtrusively hidden away when not in use.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the expression of these individual embodiments is for illustrative purposes and should not be seen as a limitation upon the scope of the invention. It is to be further understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.

COMPONENT LIST

-   10 POOL VACUUM SYSTEM -   12 CONTROL BOX -   14 REEL MOTOR -   16 LID -   18 DRAINAGE PLUG -   19 DRAINAGE HOSE -   20 REEL BOX -   22 REEL -   24 VACUUM HOSE -   26 CLEANING HEAD -   30 SUCTION LINE -   100 POOL -   110 POOL DECK -   A,B WATER MOVEMENT 

1. A hidden pool vacuuming system comprised of a control box and a reel box, wherein the control box is further comprised of a reel motor within the control box, and wherein the reel box is comprised of a turnable reel within the reel box and a vacuum hose capable of being wound around the turnable reel, and wherein the turnable reel is comprised of a central turn-able axis running horizontally through the reel box and movably attached to two sides of the reel box, and wherein the reel motor is in communication with the turnable reel and is capable of powering the turnable reel, and wherein the system is further comprised of a pool pump capable of providing suction to the vacuum hose, and wherein the respective control box and reel box are attached to each other, and wherein the side of the reel box facing the pool is either open or partly open sufficiently to allow the vacuum hose to move freely from the reel into the pool.
 2. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, further comprising a suction line in communication with the vacuum hose and the pool pump.
 3. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the reel motor is arranged to be powered and operate independently of the pool motor.
 4. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, further comprising either a switch on the reel motor, or indirect apparatus, capable of activating the reel motor either, respectively, directly or indirectly.
 5. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the system is further comprised of a pool pump timer capable of turning the pool pump on and off, a motor timer capable of turning the reel motor on and off, or both.
 6. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein a pool deck is present, and wherein the reel box is mounted immediately below the pool deck.
 7. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 6, wherein the reel box is mounted between three and four inches below the surface of the pool deck.
 8. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the motor is a reversible electric motor.
 9. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the control box is situated parallel to the reel box in relation to the pool, and wherein the control box is located further away from the pool wall than the reel box.
 10. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the control box is water resistant or waterproof.
 11. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the system overall is about 18-24″ tall, 15-21″ wide, and has a depth of about 30-36.″
 12. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the reel box is about 21″ high, 15-18″ wide, and has a depth of about 30-36″ deep, and wherein the control box has a height of 24,″ a width of 6-9,″ and a depth of about 18.″
 13. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the system is housed under a pool deck.
 14. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, further comprising either an independent timer or hand-held remote control capable of controlling the motor.
 15. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the system is further comprised of a cleaning head at the end of the vacuum hose in contact with the pool.
 16. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the reel box and control box are each comprised a plastic or other resin, stainless steel, aluminium, or combination of these.
 17. A hidden pool vacuuming system according to claim 1, wherein the control box is further comprised of a lid located at the top of the control box, a drainage plug located at the bottom of the control box, and a drainage below and in communication with the drainage plug. 